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TTC: Major Operational Issues (Various)

So you all thought it couldn't get any worse huh? We're pretty much almost at 50% of Line 1 with slow speed restrictions. Absolutely atrocious and someone needs to answer for this garbage.

On the bright side there's a minor improvement to Line 2....


July 29, 2024

1722274426751.png
 
Line 2 is really quite a lot better than last year (it was so bad for a while that it was taking double the normal time to go from Christie to Broadview, and the TTC was proactively making announcements about it), but line 1 is still a disaster. I don't ride north of Spadina Station, but the part above Bloor on the Yonge side is really slow.
 
Bordercollie said:
Both ways from Wilson to Yorkdale
Both ways from Yorkdale to Lawrence West.
There was a closure for the whole weekend, what were they doing?
Click to expand...
Sleeping.

Honestly I really couldnt tell you, in my eyes it's looking like the work is not being done properly. The fact they are: shutting down parts of the line for multiple weekends, having early night closures for multiples days in the week, having slow zones for multiple weeks on end at the same spots without any fixes, resuming "regular operations for a few weeks" only to re-institute slow zones at the same spots as before leads me to believe that maintenance is a complete mess.

Even if there were multiple things on the go at the same time (which is what normally happens when subway service is shut down), all of this is very abnormal and we have never seen it to this degree and magnitude. It doesnt help that the a big number TTC's vehicle maintenance fleet has been....out of service for longer than normal.

So let's put 1+1 together: significant number of TTC maintenance fleet out of service for longer than normal + higher frequency/number of restricted speeds on tracks in the system. Find the root cause of those 2 things and the answer to what's causing problem is right there. Not that TTC management cares apparently.
 
TTC advises customers of preventative maintenance work to address slower train speeds

Jul. 30, 2024

The TTC is advising customers of preventative maintenance work underway on isolated sections of subway tracks on Lines 1 and 2 to repair minor track issues identified during regular track inspections. This proactive approach allows the transit agency to address potential issues before they escalate into more serious disruptions and to ensure the ongoing safety and dependability of subway service.

At the isolated points where maintenance work is taking place, trains are running at reduced speeds, resulting in longer than normal travel times for some customers. In these RSZs, trains are travelling between 15 and 25 km/h, compared to normal operating speeds of 40 to 60 km/h. As of July 30, there were 34 RSZs in place, with most zones ranging from 500 to 1000 feet in length.

Customers traveling within these RSZs can expect longer than normal travel times. On Line 1, Vaughan-to-Finch travel times average 15 minutes longer than normal. On Line 2, customers experience longer commutes of approximately three minutes between Kennedy and Coxwell stations. Once track replacement work is completed, commuters can expect improved train speeds and more reliable trip times.

The TTC’s rail assets are regularly monitored and inspected to ensure they meet the highest standards for operational safety, accessibility, and reliability. Inspections examine tracks, ties, ballast, and other related infrastructure. In May, the TTC conducted a comprehensive survey using predictive rail maintenance technology which identified multiple points where track geometry, such as rail gauge and wear, was outside the TTC’s acceptable standards.

To expedite repairs and minimize disruptions, the TTC is leveraging existing state-of-good-repair projects and scheduled weekend closures in July, August, and September. These planned closures allow maintenance crews to work efficiently and effectively to complete necessary repairs on both Line 1 and Line 2. Work is also carried out after service concludes each night.

A comprehensive list of each RSZ is available of the TTC website at: https://www.ttc.ca/service-advisories/subway-service/Reduced-Speed-Zones.

The TTC is committed to keeping customers informed about work and events that impact service, as well as alternate route options. For the most up-to-date information, follow @TTCNotices on X or sign up for eAlerts.
 
drum118 said:
TTC advises customers of preventative maintenance work to address slower train speeds

Jul. 30, 2024

The TTC is advising customers of preventative maintenance work underway on isolated sections of subway tracks on Lines 1 and 2 to repair minor track issues identified during regular track inspections. This proactive approach allows the transit agency to address potential issues before they escalate into more serious disruptions and to ensure the ongoing safety and dependability of subway service.

At the isolated points where maintenance work is taking place, trains are running at reduced speeds, resulting in longer than normal travel times for some customers. In these RSZs, trains are travelling between 15 and 25 km/h, compared to normal operating speeds of 40 to 60 km/h. As of July 30, there were 34 RSZs in place, with most zones ranging from 500 to 1000 feet in length.

Customers traveling within these RSZs can expect longer than normal travel times. On Line 1, Vaughan-to-Finch travel times average 15 minutes longer than normal. On Line 2, customers experience longer commutes of approximately three minutes between Kennedy and Coxwell stations. Once track replacement work is completed, commuters can expect improved train speeds and more reliable trip times.

The TTC’s rail assets are regularly monitored and inspected to ensure they meet the highest standards for operational safety, accessibility, and reliability. Inspections examine tracks, ties, ballast, and other related infrastructure. In May, the TTC conducted a comprehensive survey using predictive rail maintenance technology which identified multiple points where track geometry, such as rail gauge and wear, was outside the TTC’s acceptable standards.

To expedite repairs and minimize disruptions, the TTC is leveraging existing state-of-good-repair projects and scheduled weekend closures in July, August, and September. These planned closures allow maintenance crews to work efficiently and effectively to complete necessary repairs on both Line 1 and Line 2. Work is also carried out after service concludes each night.

A comprehensive list of each RSZ is available of the TTC website at: https://www.ttc.ca/service-advisories/subway-service/Reduced-Speed-Zones.

The TTC is committed to keeping customers informed about work and events that impact service, as well as alternate route options. For the most up-to-date information, follow @TTCNotices on X or sign up for eAlerts.
Click to expand...
Completely asleep at the wheel.
 
Actually, the glass is partly full here, and there is a real opportunity for TTC to put their best foot forward and differentiate themselves from even more lethargic and unaccountable agencies (eg those whose name end in *linx, for instance)

TTC is publicly admitting they have a problem with track defects. (Would ML be that brave?) The opportunity is to publish these in a transparent list, detailing each defect and what the plan and timetable is for fixing each one. Then, periodically update as they knock these off and show publicly that corrective action has been completed. Not all may be fixed on time, and that is important to admit and document....but the admission that there are problems is a key to better management thinking.....and then a culture of "say what you intend to do, then do it, then show us that you have done it" will develop. Being candid and truthful about what each work window is meant for, and how it has accomplished results, is the essence of accountability - it's what the public deserves, even if performance is less than 100%.

If Metrolinx were running the subway, not only would the defects be left unfixed, there would be press releases reminding us of how the defects are part of the transition to a glorious future (some day....timeline indeterminate). And ML's Board would studiously avoid any reference to a defect problem in their open session Board meetings.

Maybe the TTC is getting this right, sort of.

- Paul
 
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crs1026 said:
Actually, the glass is partly full here, and there is a real opportunity for TTC to put their best foot forward and differentiate themselves from even more lethargic and unaccountable agencies (eg those whose name end in *linx, for instance)

TTC is publicly admitting they have a problem with track defects. (Would ML be that brave?) The opportunity is to publish these in a transparent list, detailing each defect and what the plan and timetable is for fixing each one. Then, periodically update as they knock these off and show publicly that corrective action has been completed. Not all may be fixed on time, and that is important to admit and document....but the admission that there are problems is a key to better management thinking.....and then a culture of "say what you intend to do, then do it, then show us that you have done it" will develop. Being candid and truthful about what each work window is meant for, and how it has accomplished results, is the essence of accountability - it's what the public deserves, even if performance is less than 100%.

If Metrolinx were running the subway, not only would the defects be left unfixed, there would be press releases reminding us of how the defects are part of the transition to a glorious future (some day....timeline indeterminate). And ML's Board would studiously avoid any reference to a defect problem in their open session Board meetings.

Maybe the TTC is getting this right, sort of.

- Paul
Click to expand...
This is very charitable viewpoint and I hope it proves to be true. MAYBE with Mr Leary out of the picture the remaining TTC Managers have been told to 'tell it like it is" - I certainly hope so but remain somewhat pessimistic as the rot at TTC was clearly not all 'at the head'. You are certainly right that if the ...lynx folk had been involved this would all be spun as a huge success and they would be boasting that their safety systems had identified problems but, of course, they were caused by some previous government or natural catastrophe!
 
I can’t imagine the period of hot weather we are having is making it easy to do track work - we may have seen reduced speed zones in open cut areas anyway?
 
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